dotzip

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Lettuce is evil
(00:50) - THE GANG IS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN
(01:28) - Kim has a totally different type of freaky taste
(02:19) - What is RUIN: Chapter 0
(04:03) - The game is an art piece
(05:17) - It is so hard to talk about this game without spoilers
(06:23) - Look we tried to talk about it without spoilers
(06:43) - Spoiler time
(06:53) - I think I liked it
(08:26) - Robin says something coherent about the aesthetics of incoherence
(10:16) - Capturing childhood uncertainty and memory
(17:09) - The game might hate you?
(19:57) - The genre shifts
(24:47) - The design is just so good
(26:04) - Big Takeaways
(26:19) - Kim's Big Takeaway
(28:37) - Chase's Big Takeaway
(30:48) - AJ's Big Takeaway
(33:55) - Goblin's Big Takeaway
(34:03) - Robin's Big Takeaway
(37:06) - Hell yeah gang
(37:35) - Tell us what you think about the game!

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Figuring Out What They Say in Forbidden Solitaire Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

The fake studio is called "Heartblade" sorry we didn't figure it out in the episode.

Today we're talking about Forbidden Solitaire by Night Signal Entertainment and Grey Alien Games! A game about playing an evil CD and the horrors of working in the games industry.

Get Forbidden Solitaire on Steam!!! Follow Night Signal Entertainment's work on their website! Follow Grey Alien Games' work on their website!

Discussed in the episode:

Ep. 186: The Pacino Family Gaming Podcast (Feat. AJ and Home Safety Hotline) by Video Game Podtimism (oops Kim isn't on this one sorry sorry sorry)
Home Safety Hotline by Night Signal Entertainment on Steam
All Haul the King by Housefire on Steam

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(01:09) - Nightmare Husband
(02:06) - What is Forbidden Solitaire
(05:28) - The game wants you to win
(13:24) - Narrative stuff
(16:56) - The game "Forbidden Solitaire" withing the game Forbidden Solitaire
(18:00) - Cooper has a carrot
(18:47) - The overall story
(25:07) - The metanarrative
(29:13) - Comparing to Home Safety Hotline
(36:47) - The balance
(37:46) - The end of the game
(40:01) - Big Takeaways
(40:10) - AJ's Big Takeaway
(45:12) - Chase's Big Takeaway
(50:04) - The future is bright
(50:41) - Thank you for listening!

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Understanding Dreams in Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

What if games were a little weeeeeird.

Today we're talking about Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams by raptorsoft! A game about dreams (figurative) and dreams (literal).

Get Hypnagogia 無限の夢 Boundless Dreams on Steam!!! Follow raptorsoft's work on itch.io!

Discussed in the episode:

Hypnagogia 催眠術 by raptorsoft on itch.io
Interior Worlds by raptorsoft on Steam
Late Homework | 遅れた宿題 by raptorsoft on Steam
Subsurface Circular by Bithell Games on Steam
Shelved By Genre on Ranged Touch

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - The perfect egg sambo
(00:59) - This is NOT Hypogea OR HYPERBEAT
(02:09) - What is Hypnagogia?
(03:14) - What did we think of the game?
(06:31) - The sliding scale of freakiness
(10:53) - The mechanics
(14:18) - Spoilers
(14:20) - The levels
(18:33) - Light touch pastiche
(20:33) - Spooky time
(25:56) - We are millenials
(28:58) - Bird's mean
(29:59) - The message
(31:40) - Big Takeaways
(31:54) - Chase's Big Takeaway
(37:10) - Robin's Big Takeaway
(42:27) - Thank you for listening!

★ Support this podcast ★

The TTRPG episode | RAM Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

☕Become a member for more RAMs and other bonus content at https://ko-fi.com/dotzip !☕

This week AJ's been playing SO MANY TTRPGs and he wants to talk about them. Also the new Carly Rae Jepsen song, of course.

Discussed in the episode

Carly Rae Jepsen - On Wires (Official Music Video) on YouTube
Critical Role: Campaign 4 on YouTube
The Legend of Vox Machina
Worlds Beyond Number
Daggerheart
Draw Steel!
Fabula Ultima
Free RPG Day
Australian Devs Have the Juice! | Summer Game Fest 2026 Highlights on YouTube

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(01:16) - Carly Rae Jepsen's "On Wires"
(03:18) - It's the TTRPG episode
(03:31) - Critical Role campaign 4
(07:09) - The Legend of Vox Machina
(09:20) - Worlds Beyond Number: The Wizard, The Witch, and The Wild One
(15:46) - PLAYING TTRPGs????
(15:51) - Daggerheart
(22:16) - Draw Steel!
(30:48) - Fabula Ultima
(34:21) - There are so many more TTRPGs I could talk about BUT I SHAN'T
(35:56) - Thanks for listening!

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Thinking About Home in Turn Out the Lights Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

We have yet another sad space game on offer today, gang.

Today we're talking about Turn Out the Lights by Bijan Stephen and Byron Hulcher! A game about being alone in space and naming your drones after the Pac-Man ghosts.

Get Turn Out the Lights on Steam or itch.io!!! Follow Bijan Stephen's work on his website!

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Video games
(01:26) - Should you need it
(02:01) - What is Turn Out The Lights
(03:56) - We're playing moon games ;)
(04:50) - The game is interesting and sad!
(09:09) - Check your bundles, folks!
(10:33) - Spoilers!
(10:39) - Playthrough overviews
(17:18) - Red/Ruby
(27:45) - "The Good Ending"
(33:09) - Big Takeaways
(33:11) - AJ's Big Takeaway
(36:07) - NOT Robin's Big Takeaway
(36:59) - Robin's Big Takeaway
(40:03) - Kim's Big Takeaway
(43:34) - Thank you for listening!!!

★ Support this podcast ★

June 2026 Next Fest Shines Upon Us Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

It is Next Fest once again.

Today we're talking about video games that we played from the June 2026 Steam Next Fest.

Discussed in the episode:

9 ESSENTIAL Wishlists From Steam Next Fest (June 2026) from noclip_2 on YouTube
Blood Dungeon
SteamDB "AI Content Disclosed" filtered out Next Fest list
"Call of Dookie" post on Bluesky

Dad Games:

Normal Golf Game - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3510740/Normal_Golf_Game/
Wind Runners - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1101370/Wind_Runners/
Omen - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2859970/Omen/
Ascenders: Beyond the Peak - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4267860/Ascenders_Beyond_the_Peak/
Dungeon Settlers - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2798330/Dungeon_Settlers/
Enginefall - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2437390/Enginefall/
over the hill - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2929250/over_the_hill/
Mym’s Sword - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4673730/Myms_Sword/

Gonna go do a little work in the garage:

Factomancer - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3979570/Factomancer/
Slime Soup - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4655800/Slime_Soup/
IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950790/IRON_NEST_Heavy_Turret_Simulator/
Burn-9 - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4377480/Burn9/
Sludgineers - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4073860/Sludgineers/
Fortune Fragments - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3601160/Fortune_Fragments/
The Message from Deep Space - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4080030/The_Message_from_Deep_Space/

Just gotta rest my eyes for a second:

Hearth and Hamlet - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4315040/Hearth_and_Hamlet/
if you stay - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4437140/if_you_stay/
Twinkle Seek - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4600620/Twinkle_Seek/
walk - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4563880/walk/

Weird aunt/uncle games:

My Beautiful Faraway, Please Don’t Be Cruel To Me - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4516190/My_Beautiful_Faraway_Please_Dont_Be_Cruel_To_Me/
Entropy - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3940340/Entropy/
Femme Fatality - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4682660/Femme_Fatality/
lily’s world XD - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3195580/lilys_world_XD/
Cloud Sculptor - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4101700/Cloud_Sculptor/

Critter-like:

WOIM - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4272020/WOIM/
The bird of the North - https://store.steampowered.com/app/4655600/The_bird_of_the_North/

Haha, yeah this is it:

ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3812600/ReStory_Chill_Electronics_Repairs/
Pigeon: A Love Story - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3876710/Pigeon_A_Love_Story/
Virtue and a Sledgehammer - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743260/Virtue_and_a_Sledgehammer/

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - A child
(01:24) - Next???? Fest!!!!!!!!!
(01:41) - Talkin about this Next Fest a little bit
(11:07) - Dad Games (Normal Games)
(12:05) - Normal Golf Game
(15:57) - Wind Runners
(19:48) - Omen
(23:27) - Ascenders: Beyond the Peak
(28:05) - Dungeon Settlers
(30:48) - Enginefall
(36:09) - over the hill
(41:44) - Mym's Sword
(44:32) - Gonna go do a little work in the garage
(44:54) - Factomancer
(49:29) - Slime Soup
(52:52) - IRON NEST: Heavy Turret Simulator
(01:02:36) - Burn-9
(01:04:34) - Sludgineers
(01:07:18) - Fortune Fragments
(01:10:13) - The Message from Deep Space
(01:14:38) - Just gotta rest my eyes for a second
(01:14:52) - Hearth and Hamlet
(01:17:23) - if you stay
(01:18:57) - Twinkle Seek
(01:22:10) - walk
(01:25:00) - Weird aunt/uncle games
(01:25:13) - My Beautiful Faraway, Please Don't Be Cruel To Me
(01:29:04) - Entropy
(01:32:43) - Femme Fatality
(01:36:43) - lily's world XD
(01:40:30) - Cloud Sculptor
(01:42:49) - Critter-likes
(01:42:57) - WOIM
(01:44:18) - The bird of the North
(01:46:58) - Haha, yeah this is it
(01:47:09) - ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs
(01:51:22) - Pigeon: A Love Story
(01:58:18) - Virute and a Sledgehammer
(01:59:23) - That's the end of the episode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

★ Support this podcast ★

Walking Along the Trail in Book of Travels Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

It's our Birthiverssary! We will accept gifts in the form of check or money orders (or Ko-fi subscriptions<3)

Today we're talking about Book of Travels by Might and Delight! A game about walking and getting in fights with dudes in rolling fields.

Get Book of Travels on Steam!!! Multiplayer servers will be open until July 31st, 2026!!!! Follow Might and Delight's work on their website!

Discussed in the episode:

The future of Book of Travels on the Steam Community page
Against Interpretation and other Essays by Susan Sontag on The Internet Archive

Additional links:

Book of Travels – An Online RPG by Might and Delight - scroll down to see the interactive map of the world!! It's sick!!!
Lore Book on the Book of Travels website

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - AJ has a hangover
(00:44) - Listen to the distain in Kim's "All right"
(00:55) - We're 2 years old!!!
(02:06) - But for now: Video game
(02:45) - Book of Travels
(04:40) - We are the tiny multiplayers
(06:36) - Bucking all MMO lessons
(35:29) - Bird Takeaway
(35:49) - Kim's Big Takeaway
(38:22) - AJ's Big Takeaway
(41:41) - Robin's Big Takeaway
(44:20) - Chase's Big Takeaway
(48:40) - Play Book of Travels!!!!!!!!!!!!
(49:04) - WELCOME TO KDOTZ
(50:05) - Big Takeaways for the show
(50:39) - AJ's Big Takeaway for the show
(54:13) - Kim's Big Takeaway for the show
(57:34) - Chase's Big Takeaway for the show
(01:01:16) - Robin's Big Takeaway for the show
(01:05:06) - The end of the season!
(01:05:23) - What are YOUR Big Takeaways?!

★ Support this podcast ★

Dealing in Dream Logic in The Norwood Suite Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Thanks for bringing me the new episode of dotzip! Could you go out to my car and grab my headphones? Grab whatever else you want out of there too I don't need it. Now I'm in the pool!

Today we're talking about The Norwood Suite by CosmoD! A game about going to a DJ set and helping people out.

Get The Norwood Suite on itch.io or Steam!!! Follow CosmoD's work work on their website!!

Discussed in the episode:

Saturn V by Cosmo D
Call me stupid, but what the h*ll happened at the end? - CosmoD explains his interpretation of the ending of Norwood Suite

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by _amaranthine

Additional sounds by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - AJ is rearranging AGAIN, don't talk about it
(01:13) - Foreboding vibes
(01:40) - Who is CosmoD
(02:06) - What is The Norwood Suite
(04:14) - This is a game about feelings
(06:03) - The world and the people
(14:03) - The aesthetics and styling
(23:57) - The space
(32:00) - Spoilers?????????
(32:41) - Hey what's happening
(33:49) - June
(44:42) - The commodification of art and creation of hierarchy
(53:11) - That final shot...
(56:29) - The credits
(57:09) - Big Takeaways
(57:16) - Kim's Big Takeaway
(01:00:15) - Robin's Big Takeaway
(01:04:13) - AJ's Big Takeaway
(01:08:36) - Thank you for listening!

★ Support this podcast ★

It's a Will Issue w/ Will Laporte (Ghostdown, Overheard) Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

☕To hear previous RAMs and other bonus content you can become a member at https://ko-fi.com/dotzip for just $5 a month!☕

Today AJ is joined by Will LaPorte to talk about the new film Obsession, lots of music including their Summer albums, video games, and ~aesthetics~.
Follow Will online at Ghost Down and listen to their music at overheard!

Discussed in the episode:

Obsession (2026)
Of Earth & Wires by Dua Saleh on YouTube
Detour by Kim Petras on YouTube
OMAKASE by Alvaro Diaz on YouTube
Inferno by Boards of Canada on Bandcamp
Sufjan Smorgasbord playlist by Will on Apple Music
Slump by Improvement Movement on Bandcamp
SPILLY CAVE by Spilly Cave on Bandcamp
Lane 8 Spring 2026 Mixtape (DJ Mix) playlist by Lane 8 on Apple Music
The MIX Summer Game Showcase 2026 by Media Indie Exchange on YouTube
Chivalware on Steam
UN:Me on Steam
Dungeon Lurker on Steam
Ballgame on Steam
Mina the Hollower on Steam
Minishoot' Adventures on Steam

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Art by Tara Crawford

Theme music by Boqeh

Produced and edited by AJ Fillari

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro with Will LaPorte!
(01:37) - Obsession
(08:34) - Spoilers for how the movie works!
(10:00) - Obsession | Bear
(13:37) - Obsession | The One Wish Willow
(15:28) - Obsession | The End
(20:56) - Obsession | Content warnings and takeaways
(22:48) - A couple of music albums
(32:58) - The MIX Showcase
(36:56) - Will is playing games
(44:48) - Follow Will!

★ Support this podcast ★

Yearning in The Moon Looks Beautiful Tonight Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Whooooooosh rocket ship soundssssss

Today we're talking about The Moon Looks Beautiful Tonight: Definitive Edition by Cetacity! A game about the moon and being honest with your feelings.

Get The Moon Looks Beautiful Tonight on Steam or the NON Definitive Edition on itch.io!!! Follow Team Cetacity's work on itch.io!

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